In CNNfn interview, Raveche urges parties to embrace vision of science, technology to insure nation’s future

HOBOKEN, N.J. — The President of Stevens Institute of Technology, Dr. Harold J. Raveche, contended in an interview Friday on CNNfn’s The Flipside that both major political party platforms lack an overall vision for America’s future based in innovation in science and technology.

Raveche said that he believes this omission reflects an unfortunate mindset that could place the US at a disadvantage in the intensely competitive global environment of the 21st century.

In a segment titled “Are We Losing Our Sci-Tech Edge?” Raveche fielded questions from a panel of three correspondents about the state of American technology in a rapidly changing world.

“If you look at the investments in Korea, India, China, and earlier in Japan, Singapore and Taiwan,” said Raveche, “the competition in technologies is intense. It’s no longer just manufacturing. It’s software, biotechnology, electronics, computing. And we have to be at the most innovative end of that spectrum – the most innovative.”

The panel cited statistics that seemed to support the idea of greater high-tech investment by US competitors, showing a 1992 US high-tech trade surplus of $35 billion vs. a 2002 high-tech trade deficit of $54 billion, a record.

Asked if it’s a matter of not enough federal money going to basic research, Raveche contested that notion.

“This administration has not [decreased research funding],” said Raveche. “Funding has gone up for the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. But what’s missing here is a national agenda, and that’s something I don’t see from either party.”

Raveche went on to tackle the issue of what practically can be done to improve and maintain America’s edge in science and technology. Outside of the obvious need to make science and math attractive subjects to grade school students – an area specialized in by Stevens’ Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education – Raveche pointed to the need for a national technology focus.

“It’s right in front of us,” he said. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Broad-based investment in research at colleges and universities can help perfect homeland security technologies for software security, network security, detection and destruction of chemical and biological materials: whole new ways of looking at security and technology that will lead to new product development and new jobs – in the way that the Space Program did under Kennedy and the development of Star Wars did under Reagan.”

Raveche concluded by describing the ultimate product of a secure wireless network: a pocket gadget that would allow you to “leave your wallet or purse at home,” but would enable you to tap into your financial and credit accounts to make purchases and payments as you travel about.

“This will come about when you have true wireless security,” he said.

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.

Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.  

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